Everything you need to know before you cross into Sikkim — without the bureaucratic headache.
Sikkim sits on an international border, so unlike Darjeeling or Meghalaya, entry is regulated. It sounds intimidating on paper — it isn't in practice. Here's what actually happens.
An Inner Line Permit (ILP) is a short-term entry permit required for Indian citizens to visit most of Sikkim. It's a legacy of colonial-era border regulation, not a sign of anything unusual happening — it's routine paperwork, issued quickly at official checkpoints or online.
All Indian citizens need an ILP to enter Sikkim. Foreign nationals also need an ILP for the core tourist circuit, plus a separate Protected Area Permit (PAP) for restricted zones like North Sikkim (Lachen, Lachung, Gurudongmar Lake) — those areas require travel with a registered agency, which we handle end to end.
A valid photo ID (Aadhaar or passport), a couple of passport-sized photos, and your travel dates. That's it on your end — no in-person queues, no separate office visits.
Because Sikkim trips with us are planned individually rather than sold as fixed packages, permit paperwork is arranged as part of your itinerary — we collect what's needed when you enquire and take care of the filing, so this isn't something you have to navigate alone.